Joanne- Neem is a contact agent. You nailed the thrips between the eyes - he croaks. You didn't = he is off and happy.

Absolutely remove flowers. Kiss them good bye - or make a flower arrangement for the porch.

All really efficient stuff is not cheap. The only spray to kill the above the soil plants pests - Pylon. Or its "thermite" generic analog - Phantom. Phantom is doable - but it only lasts for 3 years - so better - Buy for the Club? Root mealy bugs - are really persistent - I probably would reroot everything if I would found one infested pot. So - isolation is good - because - if there is something hidden - they will crawl out,

I am thinking rinsing everything in a soapy water... probably is not a bad idea to.

Forget about the flowers!

Tell it to the thrips... they fly ..

Keep them in a different room and keep the doors closed...

If you guys buy Optimaras for sales display - thrips are there. Special Very Strong Optimara Thrips - they help carry pallets with plants at their greenhouses. There are no other pests on Optimaras.

I think it is OK for general public. They do not care. You just do not want to introduce them in your collection.

Neem will definitely damage the bloom.

Normally plants from VB and LLG straight of their premises - are very clean plants. But - with local talents - their shop can be clean - or not.

Actually, neem is a very effective anti-feedant and can be used to prevent many kinds of sucking, chewing, and egg laying critters from doing their damage. It is recommended as a preventative treatment against thrips on AVs.

Yes to removing buds and flowers prior to treatment.